Modular front box for buses

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to a heating and/or air conditioning unit for commercial vehicles with at least two modules ( 2, 4, 6, 8 ), of which one ( 4 ) contains a heat exchanger unit ( 16, 18 ) and the other ( 6 ) contains a blower unit ( 20 ), wherein at least one inlet ( 12, 14 ) and at least one outlet ( 24, 26 ) are provided for air to be conveyed through the modules, wherein the individual modules are connected together entirely or practically air tight and themselves are each assembled from a number of wall sections ( 28 ). According to the invention, there are edge strips running along the edges of the modules ( 2, 4, 6, 8 ) in which the wall sections ( 28 ) of the individual modules are inserted using easily removable joint connections and through which adjoining modules can be connected and easily removed.

[0001] This invention pertains to a heating and/or air conditioning unit for commercial vehicles. An air conditioning unit is a continuation of a heating unit in that it represents not only a heating unit, but also a cooling unit for the commercial vehicle. The device should be capable of heating and, if needed, cooling a bus in particular. The commercial vehicle can, however, also be any other known type, for instance a truck, a semi-trailer tractor, a tractor, a work vehicle such as a construction vehicle or an agricultural vehicle, etc. A special application in this respect is the heating and/or air conditioning of the driver's seat of the commercial vehicle. To this end, the device can, for example, be incorporated into the design of the dashboard. In general, however, the device can also be arranged as an underfloor unit or can be incorporated into the ceiling design of the commercial vehicle.

[0002] Heating and/or air conditioning units for commercial vehicles are more extensive and thus also more voluminous than in personal vehicles due to the required heating and/or cooling load. It is conventional to manufacture these types of devices individually or in small batches specific to the customer or to the vehicle. To save costs, a modular design has also been provided already with the features in the preamble of claim 1. Here, the individual modules were assembled from bent sheet metal. The connection of the sheet metal to itself and connections between adjacent modules was done using rivets or spot welds (Neoplan Jet and Cityliner). In the process, manufacturing was simplified compared to individualized manufacturing in that it was possible to pre-manufacture individual units of the device with different functions modularly, and furthermore it was possible to use similar wall sections in different modules. As a result, a device was obtained in its assembled state from modules, said device being assembled from the individual modules in a linear back-to-back sequence and that could not be disassembled.

[0003] The subject of this invention is to improve the ease of maintenance of a device of the type mentioned. Also, it is intended to improve the standardization of the individual parts of the module. Furthermore, their manufacture is to be simplified. Further, it is intended to expand the number of materials in the design of the module housings in question, for example to obtain corrosion insensitivity at the outset as compared to sheet metals by means of appropriate material selection. Finally, it is intended to make it possible, using simple means, to not just build modules whose form deviates from the usual rectangular form, but also to connect adjoining modules together at relative angles.

[0004] This objective is met by the characterizing features of a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] In the device according to the invention, the ease of maintenance is the result of the joint connections being easily removed. This allows one to not only easily separate individual modules from one another, but also to easily open the housing of a particular module or to even take it apart further. In addition, joint connections of this type can be put together quickly and easily during manufacture of the device. The edge strips and the wall sections can be kept in supply for all related applications in relatively small numbers as standard parts, or can be replaced in case of damage. Also, there is no longer a material limitation on riveted or welded housing materials, as is the case with the previous use of bent sheet metal coated with a corrosion-inhibiting layer. Corrosion caused by materials of different conductivities at the joint connections can be prevented in a simple manner by means of a non-conducting intermediate layer. Particularly applicable for this purpose is an encapsulated sealing strip. In addition to rectangular modules, which are considered the same as before, modules with different spatial forms such as pyramid forms and the like can be produced, for example with one side of the rectangle being bent. Also, the edge strips can be designed in a simple way so that it is also possible to attach to an adjacent module laterally or even to more than one. An advantageous side effect is that the edge strips produce a form-stabilizing stiffening of the entire device in the process, requiring that the wall sections contribute a smaller fraction to the form stability of the entire module or the entire device than in the known case using bent sheet metal. This allows them to be designed weaker. Despite this, it is still possible to connect draining units not just to individual wall sections, but to ensure the ability to disassemble them there as well and thus to ensure ease of maintenance by continuing with the idea of using a removable joint connections.

[0006] There is a multitude of joint connections in question. Thus, for example, one could conceive of having tenons or tongues on one part that engage with corresponding openings on another part, and thus perhaps to even reposition their protruding ends to preliminarily fix the joint connection by suitably selecting the form and material of the tenons and tongues. This requires that, to easily remove the joint connection, the repositioned ends also be able to be folded back in a simple manner so that the connection can be removed. In contrast, however, the use of pushed-on connections is preferred, the respective final installed position of which can be prescribed by means of an end stop, for example, and which can be nonetheless pulled apart again easily without further manipulation during manufacturing or removal. It is even possible to provide even simpler hinged connections for a large portion. These can, for example be provided around the module with the exception of a place where there is then a pushed-on connection, for example. This continues to provide an inherently stabile frame design of the entire module. The edge strips can be designed such that the same edge strip can be used to provide a pushed-on connection as well as to provide a hinged connection.

[0007] The end stop mentioned for the final position of a pushed-on connection represents not just the ability of a molded aid that guides or guarantees the desired spatial arrangement of the assembled parts for the respective joint connection. There are also other designs of aids to consider as are known to the average specialist. Thus, particularly for hinged connections, the desired spatial arrangement of the assembled parts can be attained by means of latching mechanisms. In general, guide profiles can also be provided that place the assembled parts into the desired spatial arrangement by automatically controlling the motion of the joint.

[0008] This invention is explained in more detail with the help of schematic drawings of embodiment examples. Shown are:

[0009]FIG. 1 a plan view of a first embodiment form and;

[0010]FIG. 2 a plan view of a comparatively different second embodiment form of an air conditioning unit according to the invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 a partial section through a corner connection of a module with enlarged dimensions and

[0012]FIG. 4 an even further enlarged partial section of a latch connection designed between two joined parts, namely an edge strip and a wall section, in the joined end position.

[0013] The two embodiment forms shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of an air conditioning unit for buses correspond in the following way:

[0014] Both figures show a vertical representation. This means that the air conditioning units can be installed vertically in the bus in the manner shown, respectively. Here, installation at the dashboard is considered in particular. If an underfloor installation or installation in the ceiling is considered, the same device must be reconceived in a horizontal orientation.

[0015] The arrows indicated in the figures describe the flow of air through the device. This air is drawn in from the outside, heated or cooled in the device as desired and then exhausted into the interior of the vehicle.

[0016] The device is assembled sequentially of four modules 2, 4, 6, and 8 in the direction of flow of this air according to the arrows indicated.

[0017] Module 2 contains a damper unit 10. This is arranged in the position shown in such a way that fresh air can enter through an exterior intake nozzle 12 into the module 2. Alternatively, in a manner not shown, the damper unit 10 can be adjusted in such a way that air is suctioned in recycle mode through intake nozzle 14. Similarly, the damper unit 10 can be adjusted such that fresh air from intake nozzle 12 and recycled air from intake nozzle 14 can be mixed at a predetermined ratio.

[0018] The intake air flows from module 2 into the free cross sectional end of module 4 through a guide funnel 16.

[0019] Module 4 contains two heat exchanger units 16 and 18 arranged in succession axially, of which one is a heating unit and the other is a cooling unit. Which of these units is arranged first and which behind it axially is basically of no consequence. In practice, in general, first comes a cooling unit 16 and then a heating unit 18 in the direction of flow, whereupon if no cooling is necessary the cooling unit 16 can still be used for dehumidification of the air. This is the case both if the heating unit 18 is in operation as well as if it is intended to just dehumidify the air.

[0020] The air is then transferred from module 4 with an unthrottled cross-section to module 6, which contains a fan unit 20. Without restricting its generality, this unit is a type of single radial fan or an axial sequence of radial fans, e.g. two radial fans. This fan unit 30 sucks the air from inlet nozzle 12 and/or 14 and conveys it forward to the next module 8. In an equivalent manner, module 6 could also be located between the two modules 2 and 4, whereupon the fan unit 20 could be designed as a pressure blower.

[0021] Again with an unthrottled cross-section, the air enters module 8, which is also equipped with a damper unit 22. This can be fundamentally the same design as damper unit 10, but this is not a requirement

[0022] There are two exhaust nozzle 24 and 26 located on the outside of module 8, which can be selectively fed the air exhausting from damper unit 22. As in the case of module 2, damper unit 22 can be adjusted as desired such that it only feeds exhaust air to the exhaust nozzle 24, only to exhaust nozzle 26 or to both at the same time in a predetermined ratio.

[0023] Exhaust nozzle 24 can for example be specified for the air conditioning of the driver side, and exhaust nozzle 26 can be specified for the air conditioning of the passenger side. Likewise, one exhaust nozzle can be assigned only to the driver side, for example, and perhaps additionally to the passenger side and the other exhaust nozzle can be used to keep the windshield of the driver cab clear. Other application possibilities including the air conditioning of the rest of the vehicle, for example in a bus the rest of the passenger space, are fundamentally also possible.

[0024] The two embodiment forms in FIGS. 1 and 2 differ from one another in their general arrangement in the following:

[0025] In the first embodiment form according to FIG. 1, all modules 2, 4, 6, and 8 are arranged vertically one on top of the other. This arrangement corresponds basically to that of the prior art on which the invention is based.

[0026] Without limiting their generality, the two intake nozzles 12 and 14 are located at opposite vertical side walls of module 2 and the two exhaust nozzles 24 and 26 are located at the horizontal top side of module 8.

[0027] The sequential arrangement of modules 2, 4, 6, and 8 in the second embodiment form according to FIG. 2 is novel in and of itself here. Here, the three modules 2, 4, and 6 are arranged horizontally next to one another, whereas module 8 is arranged vertically above module 6 and over just about half of the horizontal width of module 4. Module 8 can as needed also be located only above module 6 or also above module 4 extended further horizontally.

[0028] Again, without limiting its generality, the intake nozzle 12 is located at the free vertical wall of module 2 and intake nozzle 14 is located at the free upper horizontal wall of module 2. Module 6 is chamfered at the bottom left in the plane of the drawing in order to effectively redirect the horizontally flowing air that flows into module 6 vertically upward to the fan unit 20. Module 8 is pyramid-shaped, or at least trapezoidal-shaped as shown, wherein the large base surface is located at the bottom and the small end surface parallel to it is located on top. The two exhaust nozzles 24 and 26 are located at the two angled surfaces that connect the lower base surface and the upper end surface together.

[0029] Otherwise, the remaining modules are rectangularly shaped in both embodiment forms.

[0030] For all embodiment examples, the following applies:

[0031] Where modules 2, 4, 6, and 8 do not feed into one another with an unthrottled cross-section, there are closed housings using wall sections 28. The intake nozzles 12 and 14 as well as exhaust nozzles 24 and 26 are for example each incorporated into the design of a wall section 28 of this type. The same applies for other elements to be described below.

[0032] For all modules of both embodiment forms, edge strips 30 run in the horizontal direction, or at right angles to the plane of the drawing, parallel to one another and hold wall sections 28 between one another using an easily removable joint connection 32, the preferred type of which will be explained again in more detail below with the help of FIG. 3, such that a channel-type structure results perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. At the place where the respective module feeds into the next adjoining module without a narrowing of cross sectional area, the respective wall section of this channel-type structure can be entirely or partially left out.

[0033] These channel-type structures can be closed off parallel to the plane of the drawing by means of covering wall sections in a manner that is not shown. These wall sections can be connected to the end of the respective edge strip 30 using an easily removable connection, for which a screw connection would be sufficient (see reference number 52 in FIG. 3). It is possible to close off a number of these channel-type structures with a single covering wall section 28.

[0034] In the rectangular modules 2, 4, 6 and 8, according to FIG. 1 as well as 2 and 4 according to FIG. 2, the channel-type structures each have four edge strips 30, one of each being located at the four corners of the channel-shaped structure that is rectangular in cross section.

[0035] In the second embodiment example according to FIG. 2, modules 6 and 8 of which do not have a rectangular vertical cross section, a smaller number of edge strips 30 are needed. Thus, module 6 in FIG. 2 has a wall section 28 a near its bend at the bottom left in the plane of the drawing. This wall section has a horizontal side, a bent side and a vertical side, with its horizontal side on one side and its vertical side on the other side being joined to an edge strip, respectively.

[0036] In module 8 according to FIG. 2, there is even just a single wall section 28 b provided, two vertical sides of which are each inserted into an edge strip 30, said wall thus forming the trapezoidal cross section of the channel-shaped structure of module 8 all by itself due to the way it is bent. In this case, the two exhaust nozzles 24 and 26 are designed on the same wall section, 28 b.

[0037] Different shapes of edge strips 39 are provided depending on which manner the wall sections 28 are connected.

[0038] In the embodiment examples shown, the following types of edge strips 30 exist.

[0039] Edge strips 30 a—which are shown especially in FIG. 3—are provided where wall sections 28 are inserted into the same edge strip 30 a at a right angle to each other. This is the case in FIG. 1 at the two lower edges of module 2 and at the two upper edges of module 8 and in FIG. 2 at the two edges to the outside right on module 2.

[0040] In a second type of edge strip 30 b, the free cross sections of adjacent modules connect together, wherein wall sections 28 continue on from the same edge strip 30 b in opposite directions at each of the two modules. This is the case in FIG. 1 between modules 2 and 4, 4 and 6, as well as 6 and 8 and in FIG. 2 between modules 2 and well as 4 and 6 as well as in the plane of the drawing at the top left between modules 6 and 8.

[0041] In the second embodiment example according to FIG. 2, there is a special type of edge strip 30 c in the plane of the drawing on top at module 4. This edge strip 30 c has three joint connections in three different directions. First of all, there are two successive wall sections 28 c and 28 d located on the same module 4 in the same plane in the same manner as in edge strips 30 b. In addition, there is another additional joint connection in the perpendicular direction to this provided in the plane of the drawing in FIG. 2 upward so as to be able to join the respective side of wall section 28 b.

[0042] In other spatial forms, other directions of the joint connections can be provided, perhaps even at oblique angles.

[0043] These types of connections are explained with the help of FIG. 3, which specially describes edge strip 30 a. The differences of the other types of edge strips then correspond to this with correspondingly different orientations of the joint direction.

[0044] For each connected wall section 28, the edge strip 30 a forms an undercut channel 34 with a longitudinal slit 36 in which a turned side 36 of the adjoining wall sections 28 can be inserted. By making an hinged motion, the free end 38 of the side 36 then engages with an interior lateral notch 40 at the base of the channel 34 and at the same time engages with a notch 42 at an external bulge 44 of the body of the wall section 28 that is a continuation of the actual wall section 28 engaged with the undercut 46 of the channel 34 located on the outside [sic]. The arrangement here is designed such that in addition to the hinged motion described, the edge strip 30 a can also be pushed in axially to its final position shown as a motion relative to the wall section 28 at right angles to the plane of the drawing. The relative final axial position can be accomplished by snapping a latching hook 48 into a corresponding latch hole 50 of a latching mechanism 48, 50 between the two parts 30, 28 or 30 a, 28 or 30 b, 28 or 30 c, 28.

[0045] Designed into the end of the respective edge stripes 30 a (and accordingly the other edge strips 30 and 30 b or 30 c as well) there is also an axial recess 52, which is part of a means to connect with the mentioned covering wall section 28. To this end, it can accept either rivets or clamping pins or can itself be shaped as a threaded hole for a screw connection.

[0046] In the second embodiment form, the lower wall section 28 c is also designed with a drainage channel unit for condensed water. A similar unit can be designed at module 4 of the first embodiment form according to FIG. 1 adjusted spatially to fit, in a manner that is not shown.

[0047] A simplification of the invention can also be provided regarding the activation of the damper unit 10 and 22 from outside the device. In the process, identical damping mechanisms can be used with identical activation mechanisms, with the activation mechanisms being joined and easily removable at different angles in prescribed angular latched positions depending on the type of the associated wall section. The respective positioning device 56 can be either a manual positioning device or a positioning motor.

[0048] In a deviation to the embodiment form shown according to FIG. 3, the bulge 44 can also be provided with its accompanying notch 42 at a special sealing strip 58 between the wall section 28 and the undercut at channel 34 of the respective edge strip 30 a, as is indicated by reference number 58 in a phantom representation in FIG. 3. 2 Module 32 Joint Connection 4 Module 34 Channel 34 6 Module 36 Side 8 Module 38 End 10 Damper unit 40 Notch 12 Intake nozzle 42 Notch 14 Intake nozzle 44 Bulge 16 Heat Exchanger Unit 46 Undercut (cool) 18 Heat Exchanger Unit 48 Latching Mechanism (warm) 20 Fan Unit 50 Opening 22 Damper unit 52 Recess 24 Exhaust nozzle 54 Condensed Water Drain 26 Exhaust nozzle 56 Positioning device 28 Wall section 58 Sealing strip 30 Edge strips 60 

1. A heating and/or air conditioning unit for commercial vehicles, for example buses, with a modular design made up of at least two modules (2, 4, 6, 8), of which one (4) contains a heat exchanger unit (16, 18), and the other (6) contains a fan unit (20), wherein at least one inlet (12, 14) and at least one outlet (24, 26) are provided for air to flow through the modules, and in particular each of the inlets and/or the outlets is or are designed as an independent module (2, 8), wherein this independent module (2, 8) may contain a damper unit (10, 22) and wherein the individual modules are connected together entirely or practically airtight and themselves are each assembled from a number of wall sections (28), characterized by edge strips (30) running along the edges of the module (2, 4, 6, 8) into which the wall sections (28) of the individual modules are inserted by means of easily removable joint connections (32) and through which adjoining modules are connected and are easily removable.
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the joint connections (32) are pushed-on connections.
 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that some of the joint connections (32) are hinged connections.
 4. A device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that edge strips (28) are used that are designed both as a pushed-on connection an as a hinged connection.
 5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that both pushed-on connections as well as hinged connections are provided and in both cases identical edge strips (28) are used.
 6. A device according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that edge strips (30 b) are common to adjoining modules.
 7. A device according to one of claims 1 through 6, characterized by sealing strips (58) encapsulated between the edge strips (30 a) and the wall sections (28).
 8. A device according to one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that at least some of the edge strips (30) are extruded profiles, preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
 9. A device according to one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that at least some of the edge strips (30) are injection molded profiles, preferably made of a plastic material.
 10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that the edge strips consist of a glass-fiber reinforced polyamide.
 11. A device according to one of claims 1 through 10, characterized in that at least some of the wall sections (28) consist of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
 12. A device according to one of claims 1 through 11, characterized in that at least a few wall sections (28) consist of a plastic material, preferably of a polypropylene.
 13. A device according to one of claims 1 through 12, characterized in that the same edge strip (30 b) is designed for joint connections in opposite directions.
 14. A device according to one of claims 1 through 13, characterized in that the same edge strip is designed for joint connections in directions that are at an angle with one another (30 a, 30 c).
 15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that the same edge strip (30 c) is designed for joint connections in at least three different directions.
 16. A device according to one of claims 1 through 15, characterized in that the edge strips (30) are designed with aids (48, 50) that guide or ensure that the respective joint connection attains the desired spatial arrangement of the assembled parts.
 17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that the aids are end stops.
 18. A device according to claim 16 or 17 characterized in that the aids are designed as insertion guide profiles.
 19. A device according to claims 16 through 18, characterized in that the aids are designed as latching devices (48, 50).
 20. A device according to one of claims 1 through 19, characterized in that the housings of the modules (2, 4, 6, 8) are designed homogeneously or the same from edge strips (30) and wall sections (28) using the same edge strips and/or wall sections from different modules.
 21. A device according to one of claims 1 through 20, characterized in that at least one wall section (28) of a module can be connected to a draining unit (54) or a control unit (56) at a section of its wall surface through a joint connection or another easily removable connection.
 22. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the draining unit is a condensed water drain (54) connected to the heat exchanger unit laterally.
 23. A device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the control unit is a positioning device (56) for a damper unit (10, 22) that can be attached in different angular positions.
 24. A device according to one of claims 1 through 23, characterized in that at least one end of the edge strip (30, 30 a) is provided with a preferably easily removable means to connect (52) to an auxiliary support or directly to a covering wall section.
 25. A device according to one of claims 1 through 24, characterized by the assignment thereof to the driver side or if necessary to the passenger side of the commercial vehicle. 